Last Modified: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 6:29 p.m.

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The students, all freshman at Handan No. 1 High School in China's Handan school district, are attending classes at the Spartanburg High School Freshman Academy and living with host families for two weeks. On their return to China, they'll go to the newly-opened American High School within Handan No. 1, which is modeled closely after Spartanburg High.

Though separated by thousands of miles and an ocean, the two schools share the same books, the same curriculum and enjoy many of the same teaching styles.

“It's a great opportunity, because we are so global now,” said Spartanburg District 7 Deputy Superintendent Terry Pruitt of the partnership. “The access to communicate with people on the other side of the world is available.”

The 14 total students currently enrolled at the Handan American School will study a dual curriculum — one for their Chinese school and one for the American school, and immersion in the American school will increase with each grade level. After graduating from Handan No. 1 following the equivalent of the American junior year, the Chinese students will return to Spartanburg High to complete their senior year and graduate as true Vikings. Many aim to attend an American college or university.

Ma Zixiang, 15, known as “Paul” to his new American classmates, said Freshman Academy teachers and students have been friendly. He said the new learning environment has been an eye-opening experience, but one he's enjoying.

“In China, we just sit in a seat,” he said. “We don't do groups. We work by ourselves most of the time.”

The visiting students are taking a full schedule of honors-level courses, but also participate in electives, like art and physical education.

The partnership between the high schools blossomed through an ongoing relationship between Spartanburg District 7 and the Chinese Culture and Education Center, located at the University of South Carolina Upstate.

“Because of our partnership with Spartanburg District 7 and the high level of Spartanburg High School's education quality, we think the partnership between the two schools will be a very good opportunity for both schools to be international schools,” said Huaiying Kang, executive director of the Chinese Culture and Education Center. “We're trying to model Spartanburg High School and make it a successful model for a Chinese school. We're trying to absorb the best parts of the Freshman Academy and apply it at the Handan American School.”

While at the Freshman Academy through Feb. 22, students are noticing significantly smaller class sizes. Also, the concept of open classroom discussions is a general departure from most Chinese classrooms, teachers and students said.

American teachers employed at the new Handan American School are with Chinese students in Spartanburg this week to hone specific teaching techniques and styles they'll apply on their return. And in August, Spartanburg High School teacher Alison Little will join the teaching staff in China to further connect the two schools. She'll stay for the duration of the school year.

“I think any partnership is beneficial, especially when students are involved,” Little said. “I think for both schools it will be an awesome opportunity for adults and students alike, to learn about best teaching practices, learning strategies and overall an appreciation for diversity.”

Little said she plans to connect her students in China to classes in Spartanburg using online communication tools. She sees it as an opportunity for both groups of students to heighten their international awareness.

“I want my Chinese students to feel confident coming to America to learn, grow and thrive in a new environment and culture,” Little said.

Kang said the goal for the Chinese students is total immersion into American learning, through the curriculum and through the teachers. She sees the new American school as a model for other Chinese high schools hoping to begin similar programs.

“We also hope that by having Chinese students here we can encourage American students to go to China,” Kang said.

Pruitt said there will be an opportunity for Spartanburg High School and Freshman Academy students to visit China this summer, calling the continued collaboration a “valuable learning experience.”

Chinese language classes are currently offered at four District 7 elementary schools, at the Freshman Academy and at Spartanburg High School. Last summer, the Chinese Culture and Education Center arranged for six District 7 educators to teach in China at no cost to the district, and in the fall, a group of Chinese teachers and administrators visited Spartanburg.

Pruitt traveled to Handan in October and began planning with teachers using Spartanburg High School Freshman Academy textbooks and curriculum.

“We are preparing students for careers that don't even exist yet, and international opportunities for our students must be an option,” he said.

At the Freshman Academy earlier this week, visiting Chinese students spent time between classes at their newly assigned lockers. They don't have lockers at their school in China, nor do they have regular class changes. Freshman Academy students help guide them through the unfamiliar maze of hallways and assist with the transition during classes.

Freshman Academy student Mac Barrett, 15, and Zerui Zhang, also 15, sit next to each other in honors level algebra 2. Barrett said he's enjoying getting to know the visiting group.

“It's fun talking to them,” Barrett said. “I think most of us are having fun having them at our school.”

Zhang, who goes by “Mike,” is soaking in his first experience on American soil. He's most enjoyed shopping and eating pizza.

“In America, I feel very happy,” he said. “In school, some subjects are a little hard to me... but I can learn more I can't learn in China.”

Kang said the Handan American School will accept a new class of students each year, and neither she nor Pruitt saw the partnership coming to an end any time soon.

“We're very fortunate that Spartanburg High School is willing to take these students, to study in Spartanburg for (their senior) year and earn a diploma,” Kang said.

“I see it as something that's going to be viable for a long time,” Pruitt said.

<p>Thirteen students from China are learning what it's really like to be Spartanburg High School students.</p><p>The students, all freshman at Handan No. 1 High School in China's Handan school district, are attending classes at the Spartanburg High School Freshman Academy and living with host families for two weeks. On their return to China, they'll go to the newly-opened American High School within Handan No. 1, which is modeled closely after Spartanburg High.</p><p>Though separated by thousands of miles and an ocean, the two schools share the same books, the same curriculum and enjoy many of the same teaching styles.</p><p>“It's a great opportunity, because we are so global now,” said Spartanburg District 7 Deputy Superintendent Terry Pruitt of the partnership. “The access to communicate with people on the other side of the world is available.”</p><p>The 14 total students currently enrolled at the Handan American School will study a dual curriculum — one for their Chinese school and one for the American school, and immersion in the American school will increase with each grade level. After graduating from Handan No. 1 following the equivalent of the American junior year, the Chinese students will return to Spartanburg High to complete their senior year and graduate as true Vikings. Many aim to attend an American college or university.</p><p>Ma Zixiang, 15, known as “Paul” to his new American classmates, said Freshman Academy teachers and students have been friendly. He said the new learning environment has been an eye-opening experience, but one he's enjoying.</p><p>“In China, we just sit in a seat,” he said. “We don't do groups. We work by ourselves most of the time.”</p><p>The visiting students are taking a full schedule of honors-level courses, but also participate in electives, like art and physical education.</p><p>The partnership between the high schools blossomed through an ongoing relationship between Spartanburg District 7 and the Chinese Culture and Education Center, located at the University of South Carolina Upstate.</p><p>“Because of our partnership with Spartanburg District 7 and the high level of Spartanburg High School's education quality, we think the partnership between the two schools will be a very good opportunity for both schools to be international schools,” said Huaiying Kang, executive director of the Chinese Culture and Education Center. “We're trying to model Spartanburg High School and make it a successful model for a Chinese school. We're trying to absorb the best parts of the Freshman Academy and apply it at the Handan American School.”</p><p>While at the Freshman Academy through Feb. 22, students are noticing significantly smaller class sizes. Also, the concept of open classroom discussions is a general departure from most Chinese classrooms, teachers and students said.</p><p>American teachers employed at the new Handan American School are with Chinese students in Spartanburg this week to hone specific teaching techniques and styles they'll apply on their return. And in August, Spartanburg High School teacher Alison Little will join the teaching staff in China to further connect the two schools. She'll stay for the duration of the school year.</p><p>“I think any partnership is beneficial, especially when students are involved,” Little said. “I think for both schools it will be an awesome opportunity for adults and students alike, to learn about best teaching practices, learning strategies and overall an appreciation for diversity.”</p><p>Little said she plans to connect her students in China to classes in Spartanburg using online communication tools. She sees it as an opportunity for both groups of students to heighten their international awareness.</p><p>“I want my Chinese students to feel confident coming to America to learn, grow and thrive in a new environment and culture,” Little said.</p><p>Kang said the goal for the Chinese students is total immersion into American learning, through the curriculum and through the teachers. She sees the new American school as a model for other Chinese high schools hoping to begin similar programs.</p><p>“We also hope that by having Chinese students here we can encourage American students to go to China,” Kang said.</p><p>Pruitt said there will be an opportunity for Spartanburg High School and Freshman Academy students to visit China this summer, calling the continued collaboration a “valuable learning experience.”</p><p>Chinese language classes are currently offered at four District 7 elementary schools, at the Freshman Academy and at Spartanburg High School. Last summer, the Chinese Culture and Education Center arranged for six District 7 educators to teach in China at no cost to the district, and in the fall, a group of Chinese teachers and administrators visited Spartanburg.</p><p>Pruitt traveled to Handan in October and began planning with teachers using Spartanburg High School Freshman Academy textbooks and curriculum.</p><p>“We are preparing students for careers that don't even exist yet, and international opportunities for our students must be an option,” he said.</p><p>At the Freshman Academy earlier this week, visiting Chinese students spent time between classes at their newly assigned lockers. They don't have lockers at their school in China, nor do they have regular class changes. Freshman Academy students help guide them through the unfamiliar maze of hallways and assist with the transition during classes.</p><p>Freshman Academy student Mac Barrett, 15, and Zerui Zhang, also 15, sit next to each other in honors level algebra 2. Barrett said he's enjoying getting to know the visiting group.</p><p>“It's fun talking to them,” Barrett said. “I think most of us are having fun having them at our school.”</p><p>Zhang, who goes by “Mike,” is soaking in his first experience on American soil. He's most enjoyed shopping and eating pizza.</p><p>“In America, I feel very happy,” he said. “In school, some subjects are a little hard to me... but I can learn more I can't learn in China.”</p><p>Kang said the Handan American School will accept a new class of students each year, and neither she nor Pruitt saw the partnership coming to an end any time soon.</p><p>“We're very fortunate that Spartanburg High School is willing to take these students, to study in Spartanburg for (their senior) year and earn a diploma,” Kang said.</p><p>“I see it as something that's going to be viable for a long time,” Pruitt said.</p>